The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-07-01

walk there?"
"No: nor hire a carriage that'l take
us any sooner than the train. ef it
comes even at one clock.
Warren went out on the depot plat
form and began walking back and
forth the full length of it. Pete per-
suaded him To cat some breakfast. but
it was a small amount. and then he
continued walking up and down the
platform, while his whole soul seemed
,on fire at the delay.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE DYING CHILD.
The nearer Helen Lakeman's trial
approached, the less chance there
seemed to be of proving her innocence.
There were SD many corroborating cir
.cumstances to fasten the guilt upon her.
But, strange to say. a reaction had set
in. Public sentiment. as to the belief
in her guilt. was Just the same. but she
was gaining sympathy every day. The
weekly Newton papers-for Newton.
like all other Western towns, had two
newspapers with an average cord-wood
subscription of four hundred each-had
two columns, and several "squibs- :"
devoted to larceny.
One headed the column of his article
"A Pity" and the other had "Shame"
as the catch line. The pity was for the
girl. and the shame was that she
should be so neglected that she should
be forced to steal for herself
and little brother These two papers
were the Newton Republican and the
Newton Democrat. both political sheets,
whose main idea was to carry the
county for their party in order to get
the public printing, which is the life
blood of many a country newspaper.
Both seemed to harmonize, for once, on
the one idea of sympathy for the poor
girl, even to suggesting pardon.
should she be convicted. This set peo-
pie to talking. Many who had known
her formerly. and knew what a sweet.
patient girl she had been; how she had
borne her Northumberland she
ought to be acquitted, even if she were
guilty. OF course she was guilty.
Judge Arnold never would have made
such a blunder as that.
About three days before the trial.
Clarence, who had sought in vain for
his brothers address. went to Newton
to consult the lawyer, Mr.. Layman.
His father had grown more kindly to-
ward the girl, though he declared he
was actuated only by sympathy. He
knew she must be guilty.
IA. Clarence saw Mr.. Layman and talked
with him about the case. That gentle
man had little hope. save the strong pub
lie sympathy for his client. He went to
see Helen to offer some words Of consola-
ton. and found her much more sad and
detected than at first.
Have you seen my little brothere"
were almost the first words she uttered.
mo. Helen, declare 1 was so busy
about you, that forgot Amos. but l
guess he's all right"
He's at the poor-house." she said.
What! in the hands of that scOun-
~drel, Bill Jones? 1t can not be-"
Helen assured him he was there, and
very i'll The wetting he got the even
ing before her arrest had resulted in q
dangerous fever.
Clarence vowed he should be taken
home that night, and in q hour was rat
Ting away TO the poor-house. When
he reached the front gate. \ miserable.
rotten, tumble-down affair, he was
-accosted 10y Bill Jones. the keeper.
pipe in his mouth, and his hands in his
pockets:
What do you want here. Claence:''
he demanded.
Il came here for the little sick boy
Clarence answered.
(which un?''
"Amos Lakeman.
''Who've you got your orders from?"
''trom Heaven" answered Clarence,
!hitching his horse, and pushing on
through the gate past the buriy keeper.
''Ie'd better show your writin's.
''Where is he?" demanded Clarence.
At this moment Simple Nancy, with
IAer hideous giggle. arose from behind
a tree. and said: f'-
This way. this way"
He followed the woman to an
-old hut. dark, miserable and dirfy..
There, on a wretched bed, Law the
wasted form of little Amos. His
>crutches were near him. hut he would
never need them again. He was about
to take wings to the land of eternal
day, where sorrow and suffering are
unknown e,g r TsF -
Clarence was a strong youth, and
deemed il a weakness to weep. vet he
could not repress his tears at this sight
of misery. f'1f
Amos. my deer little boy" he said.
81 have come to take you home with
me. DO you want to go?''
1t was with an effort, the little fellow
said: "Yes-yes, it's SO nice there.
The angels will come to me there, and
LIN goin' to die soon. They'll never